Now that the fantasy baseball season is a few weeks in, the shelves of the “store” are starting to get a little thin, just like those first few weeks after COVID lockdown in 2020. You’ve totally abandoned hope on buying toilet paper or your favorite mac ‘n’ cheese. Hell, even the weird discount pastas that boil into a flying spaghetti monster have been ransacked. Things look so very bleak for you. But in a moment of divine inspiration, you grab that last loaf of cinnamon swirl 12 grain rye bread and imagine you might be able to whip up some french toast and do your best to trudge along. Let’s revisit that mood again now as we examine the likes of Gio Urshela and dream about what sorts of outlandish lineups we can fill out with his 1B, 3B, SS eligibilities. Ahhhh… (to be interpreted as either a refreshing or horrifying sound to your preference and life experiences)
The stats and ownership percentages below are updated as of noon central time on 4/21.
As always, if you want advice on specific roster decisions you might have, feel free to leave a comment. You can also find me on twitter (@mcouill7).
CATCHERS
10/12 Team Adds
Gabriel Moreno (ARI, 45% CBS Ownership) – Patron saint of this piece, Elias Diaz, has finally crossed an ownership threshold to not be eligible for suggestion, but his spirit remains. The Diamondbacks play at Coors Field next weekend, making Moreno a must own for this upcoming week, at minimum. (3-5% FAAB)
Jonah Heim (TEX, 42% CBS Ownership) – Since Mitch Garver hit the IL on 4/9, Heim has hit three bombs, walked at a 17.1% clip, and totaled a 238 wRC+. That performance has made him the third best catcher in our Player Rater to date. Jonah is the whale now. (5% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Keibert Ruiz (WSN, 45% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Shea Langeliers (OAK, 38% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Christian Vazquez (MIN, 30% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB)
15 Team Adds
Christian Bethancourt (TBR, 17% CBS Ownership) – Bethancourt started the season very slowly but is now riding a six-game hitting streak and obliterating the ball. His Savant page is dripping in red like a Rothko while he’s showing a better penchant for walking (11.9% BB rate so far compared to 3.6% career before this year). (3-5% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Joey Bart (SFG, 24% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Mike Zunino (CLE, 23% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Blake Sabol (SFG, 12% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Reese McGuire (BOS, 3% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Ryan Jeffers (MIN, 3% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB)
INFIELDERS
10/12 Team Adds
Zach Neto (SS, LAA, 43% CBS Ownership) – Neto hasn’t produced a memorable start to his career with a 35 wRC+ so far, but that has also tempered ownership levels enough that I’m able to include him this week. In case you haven’t noticed, SS and MI have been gutted by injuries and left a lot of unexciting options on the wire. The biggest pro here is that you know that the Angels are going to play Neto every day. In addition, he’s played in so few games, the projection systems have no idea what to do with him, so all push him to roughly a league-average player by default. Sometimes it’s tough to gamble on a player with no track record, but Neto had an above average hit tool as a prospect and could be useful to cover for MI injuries or be trade bait. (5-7% FAAB)
Gio Urshela (3B/SS, LAA, 33% CBS Ownership) – It’s strange to have two players from the same team covered here, especially given that Urshela was going to originally pick up SS appearances this season for the Angels. In the past week, the Angels have put Jake Lamb out to pasture and played Urshela at 1B. Jared Walsh isn’t coming back any time soon, and Urshela is making contact in the middle-ish of the Angels lineup, which should produce a useful amount of runs and RBI. It will be great when he picks up 1B eligibility soon and becomes a solid bench piece all summer to sub in when needed. (3% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Spencer Torkelson (1B, DET, 50% CBS Ownership, 3-5% FAAB), J.D. Davis (3B, SFG, 50% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Brice Turang (2B/SS, MIL, 46% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Jon Berti (2B/3B/SS, MIA, 40% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Spencer Steer (3B, CIN, 33% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Garrett Cooper (1B, MIA, 33% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Elehuris Montero (3B, COL, 27% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB)
15 Team Adds
Jake Burger (3B, CHW, 17% CBS Ownership) – Whew, this is hard to write because Burger sits right in the middle of my biases (Sox fan and love good comeback stories). But with the opportunity created by yet another Yoan Moncada injury, Burger has flashed his one tool – prodigious power. He probably has another few weeks of drawing five starts a week to pad your homers but could turn this into a bigger role if Moncada struggles or when another Southside regular inevitably gets hurt. (3% FAAB)
Ronny Mauricio (SS, NYM, 11% CBS Ownership) – Sure he is hitting in the bloated PCL offensive environment, but Mauricio has already hit six homers with a 192 wRC+ as a 22-year-old in AAA. It looks like things are clicking for him, and he could make a valuable stash as the Mets and their team of glass-bodied players won’t be able hold him back all summer long. (1-3% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Adam Frazier (2B/OF, BAL, 27% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Carlos Santana (1B, PIT, 25% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Geraldo Perdomo (SS, ARI, 25% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Rodolfo Castro (2B/SS, PIT, 19% CBS Ownership, 3-5% FAAB), Jeimer Candelario (3B, WSN, 18% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Wilmer Flores (1B/2B/3B, SFG, 17% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Luis Garcia (2B/SS, WSN, 13% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), David Villar (2B/3B, SFG, 12% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Jesus Aguilar (1B, OAK, 7% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Jose Barrero (SS, CIN, 5% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Vidal Brujan (2B/OF, TBR, 4% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB)
Only Team Adds
Luke Voit (1B, MIL, 3% CBS Ownership) – Voit is pretty consistently getting three to four starts per week at DH for the Brewers while hitting sixth. That alone is decent enough for a NL Only CI, but the Brewers get three games at Colorado from 5/2 – 5/4, making him a juicy early add. (3% FAAB)
Bobby Dalbec (1B, BOS, 3% CBS Ownership) – Yes, I know he just got optioned back down for Jarren Duran. And yes, I know the shortstop experiment looked awful. But the willingness of the Red Sox to even attempt that trial shows a weird mix of desperation, creativity, and hubris. If Dalbec is available in your AL Only league, you can do worse than having him on the bench to hope he picks up some weird eligibilities and is back with the big league club soon. (1% FAAB)
OUTFIELDERS
10/12 Team Adds
Josh Lowe (TBR, 64% CBS Ownership) – If you are in a shallow enough league that Lowe is still available, this is probably your last week to pick him up. He’s on pace for a 35 homer and 25 stolen base season even while stuck in a platoon. He has significantly cut his swing and miss with a lowered swinging strike rate (9.1% in 2023 vs. 13.7% in 2022) and K rate (15.7% in 2023 vs. 33.3% in 2022). (7% FAAB)
Brandon Marsh (PHI, 62% CBS Ownership) – Much like Lowe, this is probably your last week to grab Marsh if he’s still available. He’s been floating around this article every week as a volume play but now is showing improved barrel rate (up to 13.2% this year from 7.4% last year) while playing every day in CF and hitting fifth for the Phillies. (7% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Jorge Soler (MIA, 54% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Esteury Ruiz (OAK, 49% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Joey Gallo (MIN, 44% CBS Ownership, 5% FAAB), Jake Fraley (CIN, 43% CBS Ownership, 3-5% FAAB), Lourdes Gurriel (ARI, 39% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Jurickson Profar (COL, 34% CBS Ownership, 3-5% FAAB), Trevor Larnach (MIN, 28% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Bryan De La Cruz (MIA, 26% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB)
15 Team Adds
Lane Thomas (WSN, 21% CBS Ownership) – After covering Victor Robles here last week, we can almost have a standing spot in the piece for a Nationals outfielder-of-the-week. Just like Robles, Thomas is getting full playing time while cycling between hitting leadoff or seventh. He should be a solid bet for homers and stolen bases in the low-teens while hitting .240 – .250. Not sexy at all, but he will get the job done and accrue stats in a OF spot. (3% FAAB)
Corey Julks (HOU, 4% CBS Ownership) – With Chas McCormick hitting the IL, Julks should have a full-time spot with the Astros until Chas’ return. Julks is a pure all-or-nothing swinger trying to plant fastballs into the Crawford Boxes. He stole 22 bags in AAA last year, so there’s a possibility he will pick up a few SBs while getting more playing time. If you are looking for a temporary spot filler and don’t have many options, you can certainly do worse than Julks. (1-3% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: TJ Friedl (CIN, 23% CBS Ownership, 3-5% FAAB), Mauricio Dubon (2B/SS/OF, HOU, 21% CBS Ownership, 3-5% FAAB), Alek Thomas (ARI, 20% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Victor Robles (WSN, 15% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Jack Suwinski (PIT, 11% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Connor Joe (1B/OF, PIT, 8% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Kerry Carpenter (DET, 13% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Will Brennan (CLE, 8% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Matt Vierling (DET, 6% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Tommy Pham (NYM, 6% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Leody Taveras (TEX, 6% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Conner Capel (OAK, 3% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB)
Only Team Adds
Pavin Smith (ARI, 5% CBS Ownership) – You probably could have seen this coming as soon as I told you the Diamondbacks will be in Coors Field next weekend. Smith has been getting three to four starts a week at DH as the team shuffles platoons and Jake McCarthy struggles. (3% FAAB)
Travis Jankowski (TEX, 1% CBS Ownership) – Of all the outfield options the Rangers started the season with, Jankowski never seemed to have a shot at any playing time. But between injuries and poor performance, he now has found himself hitting the two-hole all week due to Corey Seager’s injury. A must own while Seager is on the shelf. (5-7% FAAB)
STARTING PITCHERS
10/12 Team Adds
Mason Miller (OAK, 56% CBS Ownership) – I feel like a bit of a fool putting Miller here, but miraculously he is only 56% owned in CBS leagues right now, which means he’s available in some 10 and 12 team leagues. Since last week, Miller made a meteoric rise and dazzled in his debut against the Cubs on Wednesday. He flashed absolutely filthy stuff, including one of the best fastballs already in the majors. Innings and wins/quality starts are going to be tough to come by, but Miller will provide immaculate rate stats (K/9, ERA, WHIP). (7-11% FAAB)
Eduardo Rodriguez (DET, 55% CBS Ownership) – E-Rod had a tough start to the season with three road starts against the Rays, Astros, and Blue Jays. Woof, what a gauntlet. He was back in his element this week with a home start against the Guardians and threw eight innings of shutout ball with 10 strikeouts and no walks. Rodriguez will be an always start at home and pitches in the absolutely dogshit AL Central, so should spend all summer carving up his division rivals. (7% FAAB)
Brad Keller (KCR, 47% CBS Ownership) – Keller is back again and probably hit a few wires after his shaky start on 4/18 against the Rangers in which he walked five while only striking out two. However, his past two starts were against the Rangers, and I will chalk that bad outing up to the familiarity being so fresh for that lineup. Keller should continue to be ownable in all leagues. (5% FAAB)
Gavin Stone (LAD, 27% CBS Ownership) – Are you sad that you missed out on Mason Miller? Well, Michael Grove just hit the IL, and the Dodgers have a fifth starter spot open. Additionally, Bobby Miller is still working his way back from shoulder issues that cropped up in spring training. The 24-year-old Stone should be getting the call soon and will immediately be viable in 12 team leagues. (5-7% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Domingo German (NYY, 48% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Wade Miley (MIL, 48% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), David Peterson (NYM, 42% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Kyle Bradish (BAL, 35% CBS Ownership, 3-5% FAAB), Jhony Brito (NYY, 40% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Brayan Bello (BOS, 35% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Ranger Suarez (PHI, 35% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Josiah Gray (WSN, 31% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB)
15 Team Adds
Tyler Wells (BAL, 11% CBS Ownership) – Wells’ repertoire hasn’t changed significantly since last year when he went 7-7 with a 4.25 ERA, but the Orioles are letting him go five plus innings again after he spent most of the second half struggling to cross that threshold. He will be like a poor man’s Kyle Gibson with the upside that O’s stretch him out a little more possibly. (1-3% FAAB)
Vince Velasquez (PIT, 6% CBS Ownership) – In his past two starts, Velasquez carved up the Cardinals in his 4/13 start as he found a different gear on his fastball and then held his own in Coors against the Rockies on 4/18. His fastball spin sits in the 92nd percentile while pitching in a good park in front of a solid defense with two starts coming up against the Reds and Nationals. The Pirates have been hot, and Velasquez has the heat to keep the ship steaming ahead. (1-3% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Nick Martinez (SDP, 29% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Matt Strahm (PHI, 22% CBS Ownership, 3-5% FAAB), Braxton Garrett (MIA, 13% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Peyton Battenfield (CLE, 12% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Griffin Canning (LAA, 11% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Colin Rea (MIL, 10% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Dean Kremer (BAL, 10% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Drew Smyly (CHI, 8% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB)
Only Team Adds
Zack Thompson (STL, 3% CBS Ownership) – Is it a little bit of cheating to use a long-relief guy as a starting pitcher suggestion? Sure, but with how awful the Cardinals rotation has been so far, Thompson makes a solid pick up because he has several paths to viability. He is currently the spot starter/long-relief option that should position him for an occasional win, but don’t underestimate the possibility of picking up a random three inning save or two in a blowout or eventually getting a full-time rotation spot. (1-3% FAAB)
Dane Dunning (TEX, 5% CBS Ownership) – I’m getting away with the long-relief guy thing again. If you give a mouse a cookie, yadda yadda yadda. The Rangers rotation has been good but historically is more fragile than Kendall Roy’s ego. Dunning has been great so far this season and will be the easy insertion into the rotation upon the next injury. (3-5% FAAB)
RELIEVERS
10/12 Team Adds
Jose Alvarado (PHI, 44% CBS Ownership) – Alvarado has been one of the best looking relievers in the league so far and easily the best in the Phillies bullpen. Sometimes it’s not that hard (will regret this next week after discovering once again, it is always that hard). (7-10% FAAB)
Adam Ottavino (NYM, CBS Ownership) – Late last year, the Mets started using Edwin Diaz in high-leverage spots while allowing Ottavino or others to pick up saves. They are doing the same trick again with David Robertson, which could open the door to ten or so saves rest of season for Ottavino. (3-5% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: A.J. Puk (MIA, 55% CBS Ownership, 7% FAAB), Aroldis Chapman (KCR, 49% CBS Ownership, 5-7% FAAB), Michael Fulmer (CHC, 39% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Jorge Lopez (MIN, 39% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Brusdar Graterol (LAD, 31% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Reynaldo Lopez (CHW, 30% CBS Ownership, 3-5% FAAB), Jose Quijada (LAA, 29% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Brad Boxberger (CHC, 21% CBS Ownership, 3-5% FAAB)
15 Team Adds
Peter Strzelecki (MIL, 3% CBS Ownership) – Although Matt Bush currently occupies the setup spot in the Brewers bullpen, Strzelecki has been sharper (8:1 K:BB plus 1.04 ERA) and is seeing higher leverage spots. Devin Williams and his pronated screwball change are an IL stint waiting to happen while Bush has always looked shaky in the closer’s role, so it’s not going to hurt taking a dart throw on someone like Strzelecki. (1% FAAB)
Miguel Castro (ARI, 2% CBS Ownership) – Castro picked up his first save on Tuesday night against the Cardinals and has looked the best in the Diamondbacks bullpen as both Andrew Chafin and Scott McGough have both dealt with blowups. Given that Arizona has shown no mercy by cutting Madison Bumgarner, they want to win and will ride the best arm for saves. Castro’s chance at the closer job could be coming soon. (3% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Rafael Montero (HOU, 17% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Steven Wilson (SDP, 10% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Elijah Morgan (CLE, 10% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Zach Jackson (OAK, 6% CBS Ownership, 3-5% FAAB), Matt Bush (MIL, 6% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Adbert Alzolay (CHC, 7% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Jonathan Hernandez (TEX, 4% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Carl Edwards Jr. (WSN, 4% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Hunter Harvey (WSN, 3% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB)
Only Team Adds
Drew VerHagen (STL, 1% CBS Ownership) – Per the ancient creeds, the Cardinals Devil Magic must inhabit one bullpen arm every year and turn some middling well-traveled reliever into Mariano Rivera. VerHagen looks like that dude this year and should be able to help manage ratios while providing strikeouts and a save or two. (1% FAAB)
Matt Moore (LAA, 2% CBS Ownership) – You didn’t think I would get through this whole piece without a weekly update on the Angels bullpen, right? Well, guess what – Carlos Estevez is still not HIM again. Although Jose Quijada has looked good, Moore has the moxie, experience, and stuff to close. He’s getting lots of high-leverage work now while providing good ratios and being just a Phil Nevin managerial meltdown or two away from closing. (3% FAAB)
